Your ’Yongala Dive experience’ and day trip to the historic S.S. Yongala wreck begins on arrival at our premises at Alva Beach. Whilst setting up your dive gear feel free to help yourself to tea, coffee and biscuits and mingle with your dive buddies. Then we’ll take you on a ‘unique’ day trip as we 4WD to the beach where we launch the Yongala Express for our trip to the S.S. Yongala.

A short boat ride of approximately 30 minutes brings us to the wreck in no time and straight in for our first dive. We don’t put any restrictions on your dive times either so enjoy and have fun!

Fresh fruit, cake and biscuits will be served during the one hour surface interval and there is a plentiful supply of cordial and water on board.  In winter we even serve hot tea, coffee and soup to keep the chill away.  We often catch turtles sun-baking on the surface and sea snakes popping up during the hour while enjoying our snacks ! 

Then it’s back into the water for our final dive before heading back to Alva Beach where you can shower, change and enjoy a wonderful Aussie BBQ whilst discussing your awesome dive experiences with your new found friends. 

Watch this Yongala day video to give you an insight into the unique Yongala dive experience - it shows a typical day in July 2009 and if you are lucky enough, like the people shown, you could see Humpback Whales whilst onboard the  Yongala Express during your way to and from the dive site (in the whale season of June to September).

What diving experience is required?

As a minimum requirement you need a ”open water certification” and have at least 6 logged dives. During your first dive on the S.S Yongala you will be required to complete the PADI ‘Deep’ Adventure dive as your first dive, you can gain credit by doing this towards your advanced open water course, you just need to purchase a manual and complete the neccesary theory. 

Novice divers (those with less than 20 dives) should ensure they have refreshed their skills within the last six months and will be provided with a dive guide. Any open water divers or adventure divers without deep diving experience will be required to upgrade to the PADI ‘Deep’ Adventure dive this will help advance their skills to the required level and to ensure a safe and memorable experience.

The S.S Yongala shipwreck is classed as an intermediate dive site, meaning it can be subject to changing conditions i.e waves height and currents. The more experienced divers can choose to dive just with their buddy or take a guided tour from one of our experienced dive guides at no extra cost.

What are the conditions like?

Almost constant sunshine and temperatures averaging around 31°C in the summer and 25°C in the winter (can cool to around 14°C in the evening) combine to make this area a great destination at all times of the year. Humidity is about 70% throughout the year with the highest rainfall coming from end of January to February.

The lovely warm waters of tropical Northern Queensland vary from around 26-31°C in the summer to 22-25°C in the winter, means diving is possible all year around.    Lookout for the whales during the winter months (june to sept) while manta rays also make frequent appearances during June to December. 

Due to the location of the wreck we will be moored in open water and surface conditions can sometimes be choppy and moderate currents may be experienced. If you suffer from seasickness please take appropriate medication before departure.

Daily Schedule – 7 Days a Week 

• 7:30am   Check in at Dive Shop – Forms/Payment, Set up dive gear
• 8:10am    Dive Briefing
• 8:30am   Depart for the beach and SS Yongala – Make 2 dives with 1 hour surface interval
• 2:00pm   Return back to Yongala Dive Shop
                    BBQ Lunch, fill in logbooks and adventure dive paperwork
                    Photo Slideshow (option to purchase), browse through Yongala Dive merchandise
• 3:00pm   Drop-off’s back to Ayr (to catch the 3:25 pm greyhound bus)

 The above schedule is a guide only and times may change depending on weather and tides. It is important to call the Dive Shop between 3.30 – 5pm the day prior to your trip to confirm departure details.   Please bring travel voucher, money, a towel and warm jumper for the boat.

Please Note:  if the dive boat is delayed for any reason we cannot guarantee you will make your bus connection in Ayr. Instead, we suggest  you relax after your day’s diving and stay overnight in our accommodation and leave the following day.  Should you require we have frozen meals and internet vouchers available for purchase during your stay.

If you are undertaking dive training (such as adventure dives) then we definately suggest staying overnight after your day’s diving, this way there is no rush to complete knowledge reviews with your instructor before departing.   Another option is to drop into the Dive Shop the afternoon prior to your trip and collect your paperwork which will give you extra time to complete your knowledge reviews prior to your dives. 

An RSTC Medical Statement will need to be completed if you are undertaking any dive training – if you have any medical conditions which could preclude you from diving or are taking prescription medication please discuss this with our staff prior to arrival as we are unable to offer refunds on the day if you are unable to dive.

I am arriving in Ayr, do you offer a pickup..? 

• We offer free pick-up’s daily from Ayr at 12:45pm and 3:25pm (at Ayr Bus Stop)  for those passengers staying in our Dive Lodge.
• If you require a return pick up from your accommodation in Ayr on the morning of your dive there is a $10 fee.
• Pick-up’s MUST be booked in advance, please provide us with details of your arrival so we know when to collect you.